Chapman Tripp NZ's top deal firm

CHAPMAN TRIPP NEW ZEALAND’S TOP DEAL FIRM

19 May 2017

Chapman Tripp has won the top New Zealand accolade in the Australasian Law Awards for the third year in a row.

The leading law firm won NZ Deal Firm of the Year at an event last night at The Star Sydney. Chapman Tripp was previously named NZ Deal Team of the Year at the awards in 2016 and 2015.

Chapman Tripp partner John Strowger was also named NZ Deal Maker of the Year, following on from his win of the accolade in 2015.

The independent annual awards recognise excellence in both firms and in-house teams in Australia and New Zealand.

“These awards are a testament to the firm’s work in helping clients complete some of New Zealand’s largest and most complex deals,” said Chapman Tripp chief executive partner Nick Wells.

“Notable transactions the firm advised on include the largest M&A deal completed in 2016, which was the sale of Vector gas for NZ$952.2m, as well as 2016’s largest property deal - Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s acquisition of 50% of the Waiheke Inc. property portfolio, valued at NZ$1.1b.

“We also advised on the largest private equity deal closed in 2016, which was the sale of Academic Colleges Group to Pacific Equity Partners. In these deals, our clients have helped – and will continue to help – shape New Zealand’s economic landscape, and New Zealand Inc as a whole.”

The firm also continued to act on the most significant story in New Zealand’s litigation and insurance markets by a large margin: the Earthquake Commission’s statutory natural disaster insurance obligations, Wells said.

“We have also advised on one of the most significant social infrastructure projects in New Zealand’s history, the $650m+ post-earthquake redevelopment (demolition, refurbishment and new build) of the Burwood and Christchurch hospitals in Christchurch.”

Chapman Tripp partner John Strowger’s win of NZ Deal Maker of the Year was his fourth time receiving the accolade, Wells said.

“His win is a tribute to his role in some of New Zealand’s most important cross-border deals, including CPPIB’s acquisition of shares in Waiheke Inc and the sale of Academic Colleges Group.

“He is one of just two corporate lawyers ranked as a “Star Individual” in Chambers and Partners’ 2017 New Zealand rankings, and this award only further cements his position as one of New Zealand’s top deal makers.”

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